Carriage horse collapses in Palma in front of San Nicolás — heat suspected as cause sparks debate

Shocking moment in Palma's Old Town

Yesterday around 4:20 p.m., it briefly grew quiet in front of the small San Nicolás church in Palma: a carriage horse sank onto the cobblestones and lay there. Bystanders stopped, tourists pulled out their phones, and a few people ran off to fetch water. The coachman and several helpers tried to calm the animal and move it away carefully.

What happened

After a few minutes and with the help of drinking water as well as shade, the horse was back on its feet. Several witnesses reported very high humidity and sunny, oppressive weather — temperatures above 34°C were measured at many measuring stations around the city. On the spot, a witness softly said: You could clearly see that the horse was exhausted.

It is likely that the heat played a role. Whether dehydration, a circulatory problem, or another cause was involved will need to be clarified by specialists. Until a veterinarian arrived, those present tended to the animal; later on-site traces — such as saddle straps and the tying — showed how close the moment was.

Reactions and the discussion about carriages

The incident immediately sparked conversations: some passersby called for a general ban on carriage rides at high temperatures, others want stricter checks and regular veterinary examinations. Animal welfare groups on the island see the collapse as further evidence that human interests must no longer take precedence over the welfare of animals in heat.

On the other hand, there are voices that recall the tradition and the livelihoods of carriage drivers. In narrow streets around the Old Town, carriages have been part of the scene for decades—the question is only under what conditions this may continue.

What is important now

In the short term, witnesses and residents urge more caution: shade for the animals, regular water breaks, temperature limits for the use of horses. Authorities and animal welfare groups are expected to start talks in the coming days. If you observe a similar emergency, you should immediately call the emergency number 112 and, if possible, keep your distance to avoid stress.

In short: Good that the horse has stood up again. But the incident in front of San Nicolás is likely to rekindle the debate over carriage rides in Palma — especially on hot September days when the street tiles still radiate heat and the city breathes heavier than usual.